Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders marked by impaired social interactions, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and communication impairment, which persist throughout a person's lifetime. The ASD prevalence rate--the number of individuals diagnosed with autism--has been steadily increasing over time. A new report from the U.S. Department of Health's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), based on a phone survey of over 78,000 families, set the prevalence rate at nearly one in 91 children. This is an increase from the prior statistic of one in 150 children reported in 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. (more)
When plum pox was discovered in Adams County peach trees in October 1999 -- the first time the disease had been found in North America -- the nation's stone-fruit growers watched anxiously to see how Pennsylvania would respond. As the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture officially lifted the quarantine of the area's stone fruit Oct. 29 -- certifying the state as plum-pox free -- James Travis reflected on the 10-year, collaborative eradication effort and the agricultural catastrophe it averted. The virus threatened to wipe out the state's $25 million annual production of peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines and cherries. (more)
Like knee boots, capes and cloaks, vampires are trendy again. In books and movies, on magazine covers, TV and the Internet -- it's hard to avoid blood suckers in the media lately. While several recent book series about vampires have prompted their most recent popularity on the large and small screens, life-drawing, fanged creatures have been popular in literature longer than most people may believe. (more)
Look in your wallet, purse, personal digital assistant or smart phone and you probably have a list of names, phone numbers and addresses. You might even have a file for your passwords or important account numbers, birthdays and anniversaries, bank account numbers and so many more bits of data from your life. Do you have your medication list there, too? (more)
Penn State coach Joe Paterno is featured in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, which hits news stands Wednesday. Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Joe Posnanski takes an in-depth look at the life, family and career of Paterno in eight pages of the magazine's NBA Preview issue. Posnanski's profile on the legendary coach is an elongated thank-you note to Joe's father, Angelo, who allowed Joe to forgo a career as a lawyer and follow his passion -- for 60 years and counting. (more)
The thickness of their vocal cords determines how deep their voices are, explained David Puts, assistant professor of biological anthropology. His research has revealed that women are attracted to deeper voices. (more)
"We'll be relying on fossil fuels for the next several decades, but algae-based fuels could be a great way to reduce our carbon footprint," said Tom Richard, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Penn State. (more)
Halloween is supposed to be a spooky night, but parents don't have to be scared about their kids' safety if they follow some simple safety tips from Safe Kids Dauphin County, led by the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. It's essential for parents to prepare their children properly to stay safe while trick-or-treating. Roughly four times as many children aged 5-14 are killed while walking on Halloween evening compared with other evenings of the year. (more)
Penn State will receive two Department of Energy (DOE) grants that place the University at the center of the nation's effort to become energy independent and develop clean energy sources, according to an announcement made today (Oct. 16) by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. The first grant provides $2 million to establish the Mid Atlantic Clean Energy Applications Center to promote adoption of clean energy technology by industry and government in the six Mid Atlantic states. The second grant provides $3.5 million to establish the Mid Atlantic Solar Resource and Training Center, aimed at developing the solar energy industry in the Mid Atlantic region through technical assistance and workforce development. (more)
Penn State President Graham Spanier hosts the latest "Expert Opinion" show Wednesday, Oct. 21, joined by panelists who are all former college and professional athletes, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in student-athletes' lives after they depart NCAA collegiate athletics. The show is scheduled to air at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern time; check local listings. Watch a preview of the show at http://live.psu.edu/youtube/VXIZujtHNE8 online. (more)
